About
What is the LEaP Playgroup?
The LEaP Playgroup is an eight-week therapeutic playgroup for children aged 18 months to four years who are showing delays in communication and other developmental areas. It combines therapeutic strategies with a fun, play-based format, creating a safe and engaging environment for children and families.
Each group:
- Includes up to 8 families
- Is facilitated by two allied health professionals (speech pathologists, occupational therapists, physiotherapists, social workers, or psychologists)
- Runs for 2 hours weekly and follows a familiar playgroup routine of stories, songs, mat time, morning tea, and free play
- Features activities carefully designed by allied health professionals to build:
- Language and early communication
- Fine and gross motor skills
- Regulation and social interaction
- Mealtimes and self-care
Who is LEaP for?
- Children aged 18 months to 4 years
- Children showing delays in communication and other developmental areas
What Information Does LEaP Provide?
LEaP sessions give families evidence-based strategies to support their child’s development. Grounded in family-centred practice, allied health professionals partner with parents to set meaningful goals and achieve them through play.
Key focus areas across the eight weeks:
Parent-child relationships
Strengthening emotional bonds and responsive interactions
Parent playfulness and engagement
Helping parents join in and support play
Early communication strategies
Practical tools to foster language development
Focus on Community Connections
LEaP does more than teach strategies, it builds community. Parents meet other families with similar experiences, forming supportive relationships that often extend beyond the program. Facilitators encourage conversation and natural networking.
Why is LEaP a Playgroup?
A playgroup is a group of parents and children who meet regularly to socialise and play. Playgroups are widely embraced by Australian families and are now recognised as an effective early intervention approach, supporting development while fostering parent confidence and connection.
In Australia there are three types of playgroups
Community Playgroups
Open to all families in the community and run by the families attending.
Supported Playgroups
Target children and families facing specific challenges or disadvantages, run by a facilitator who provides relevant information and support.
Therapeutic / Intensive Supported Playgroups
Designed to support children and families with more complex needs and risk factors, facilitated by a professional who provides parents with therapeutic strategies and information.
LEaP is a therapeutic playgroup. It offers research-backed strategies in a supportive environment. This format was chosen based on feedback from parents and professionals as it meets both social and developmental needs of children and families.
What Parents Say
‘Learning how to engage with my child was really helpful because our relationship is getting better, it’s getting deeper and deeper.’ 1
- Armstrong J. The development and evaluation of a therapeutic playgroup for children with developmental delay. Doctoral Thesis. Doctoral thesis. Western Australia: Curtin University, 2020.
‘I noticed a huge difference in my child … it’s crazy how much he’s changed’ 1
- Armstrong J. The development and evaluation of a therapeutic playgroup for children with developmental delay. Doctoral Thesis. Doctoral thesis. Western Australia: Curtin University, 2020.
‘Just learning how to sit down and copy him, it sounded so simple, but it has helped so much. It’s nice to learn how to play with him, enjoy him and see him enjoy me.’ 1
- Armstrong J. The development and evaluation of a therapeutic playgroup for children with developmental delay. Doctoral Thesis. Doctoral thesis. Western Australia: Curtin University, 2020.